Staff and Supporting Characters

Cary Stahly

Director of Bands

(785) 286-8310 ext. 313 (SHS)

(785) 224-3843 (cell)

(785) 286-4355 (home)

Cary is the Director of Bands at Seaman High
School. He enjoys teaching Jazz Ensembles I and II,
Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band,
Composition Class, College Prep Music, and Music
Theory.

Upon graduating with honors from Washburn
University with a Bachelor of Music Education
degree in 1993, Mr. Stahly spent five years as the
Director of Bands for grades 5 through 12 in
Hiawatha, Kansas. Under his direction, the Redskin
Band program quadrupled in size and earned
consistent first division ratings in both Marching
and Concert Band.

In 1998, he was awarded the Kansas Band Directors
Association “Outstanding Young Band Director
of The Year.” Mr. Stahly was honored by his
peers when he was named “Teacher of the
Year” for the 2003–2004 academic year
at Seaman High School. Mr. Stahly was named the
“Outstanding High School Band Teacher of the
Year” by the Northeast District of Kansas
Music Educators Association (NEKMEA), in addition
to being voted by the executive board as the
“District Outstanding Music Educator”
in the high school category for 2008–2009.

Mr. Stahly formerly served as the NEKMEA District
Trumpet Chairperson for eight years and NEKMEA Jazz
Chairperson for two years. He has adjudicated
marching and concert bands in Kansas and Nebraska,
and he has served as a clinician for jazz ensembles
and concert bands, including the Kaw Valley Middle
School Band Festival, the Oregon Trail League Honor
Band, and the North Central Middle School Honor
Band. Mr. Stahly also taught a Marching Band
Technology class for band directors at the Hastings
College Cavalcade of Performance Workshop in
Hastings, Nebraska for several summers.

Under his direction, the Seaman Viking Jazz
Ensemble I has been selected to perform at the KMEA
Convention in 2011, as well as in 2004 and 2008. In
addition to regional and state contests, Mr. Stahly
has led bands in national competitions and parades
in Kansas City, St. Louis, Winter Park, the Alamo
Bowl in San Antonio, Orlando, and the New York City
Veterans Day Parade in November 2010. He also
co-sponsored and assisted in directing two musical
groups who toured and performed in seven countries
across Europe.

During his 14-year tenure at Seaman, the Viking
Marching Band has grown from 50 members in his
first year to over 200 members this year. Mr.
Stahly and his wife, Diana, reside in North Topeka
along with their two children.

Cary’s primary instrument is the trumpet.

Anna Kennedy (TDFKA Eaverson)

Assistant Director

(785) 286-8310 ext. 313 (SHS)

(913) 530-8263 (Cell)

Anna (Eaverson) Kennedy joined us in the fall of
2010. She is a graduate of Kansas State University,
receiving both her Bachelor and Master’s
degrees in 2007 and 2010, respectively. While at
K-State,
Anna participated in and conducted numerous
ensembles and had the opportunity to travel to
Greece and the South Pacific with two of those
ensembles. She was also a graduate student with the
Kansas State University Marching Band and was
privileged enough to teach and have her drill
performed by such a great ensemble.

In addition to her assistant duties at Seaman High
School, Anna teaches 5th and 6th grade Beginning
Band along with Kindergarten music at North
Fairview and Pleasant Hill.

Anna’s primary instrument is the French horn.

Emory Dease

Assistant Director

(785) 286-8310 ext. 313 (SHS)

(913) 530-2932 (Cell)

Emory Dease joined us in the fall of 2011. He is a
2003 graduate of Blue Valley Northwest HS. He
completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music
Education from Central College, and more recently,
his Masters of Music Performance from Kansas State
University. While at Kansas State, Emory served as
the percussion graduate assistant and drumline
instructor. He has formerly held the position of
Percussion Director at Blue Valley North HS and
Newton HS (IA).

Emory is also the Assistant Boys Golf Coach at
Seaman High School.

Emory’s primary instrument is percussion.

Anna Reb

Marching Director

(785) 221-1061

Anna Reb is starting her sixth year teaching music
in the Seaman District. She is currently at
Rochester Grade School, where she teaches music for
Kindergarten through 6th grade. While at Rochester,
Anna has continued the tradition of the 5th and 6th
grade chorus, taking them to sing for service
organizations such as the Salvation Army and the
Veterans Hospital, as well as many nursing homes
across the Topeka area. The Seaman School district
nominated Anna in 2010 for the Kansas Horizon award
for first year teachers. In April of 2012, her 5th
and 6th grade team won 1st place in a statewide
music memory contest held at Kansas State
University. After winning the competition, Anna and
the team of 5th and 6th grade students were
recognized by the Kansas State Senate. Senator
Kelly introduced a Senate resolution in their honor
on May 8, 2012.

Anna Graduated from Washburn University in May of
2009, and is currently working on her masters in
Music Education from Kansas State University. While
attending Washburn, Anna was named the 2009 Teacher
of Promise.

Anna is in her 7th consecutive year working with
the Seaman High School Marching band, where she
serves as a marching assistant and leadership
director, as well as a visual assistant for horn
movements. In addition to working at school, she
volunteers her time as a choir director for the
youth at Calvary Lutheran Church, and is in her
fourth year as the adult choir director.

Anna’s primary instrument is the trumpet.

David Liston

Viking Line Director

(785) 393-0058

David Liston is an area performer, teacher, and
student. He plays regularly with several
Topeka-area rock, blues, and country bands, in
addition to performing with big bands and
orchestras in the Kansas City area. David has
performed with the Emmy Award-winning Washburn
Orchestra, and has toured internationally with the
North American championship-winning Fountain City
Brass Band. He teaches at the locally-owned
Supersonic Music, and is currently continuing his
undergraduate studies in Percussion Performance at
Washburn University, where he conducts the Marching
Blues as their drum major.

David’s primary instrument is percussion.

Sarah Brinkley

Color Guard Coach

Sarah Brinkley is excited to be entering her third
year of teaching in the Seaman school district, and
her first year with the color guard. She received
her BME in 2005 from Kansas State University and
her MA in Choral Conducting in 2013 from the
University of Central Missouri. Mrs. Brinkley
taught for four years in the North Kansas City
School District. Mrs. Brinkley is a former member
of the K-State Marching Band, where she received
honors as the Music Instructor of the Year as well
as Section of the Year. Her primary instrument is
voice.

Ryan Simpson

Seaman Middle School Director

(785) 249-7045

Ryan joined USD 345 in 2005 as the band director at
Northern Hills and Logan junior highs. He currently
serves as the director of concert and jazz bands at
Seaman Middle School, and heads the elementary band
program. Ryan is a big fan of the greatest rock
group of all time,
... Boston! ;)